My mind is so boggled with info that I don't know what's what. I guess I'm not sure what I know and need YOUR HELP!
I've heard that FM sufferers lack a chemical/nutrient that deals with pain signals.
Is this the cause or effect? Are we born w/o this or did we do/experience something that caused our bodies not to produce enough of it??
ANY fact or theory would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,fibrohugs

Hi, Mister. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any widely accepted explanation for what causes FM. There are a number of researchers working on different theories, but no-one has the answer yet. With regard to the chemical/nutrient question, I've read the opposite of what you were describing there. Several studies have shown that people with FM have higher levels of Substance P than non-FMers. Substance P is a chemical specifically involved in transmitting pain signals. So, the idea is that FMers experience more pain than non-FMers because they have more of this substance hanging around. But I don't think that has been established as a fact yet. It could be that FMers have more Substance P because there is something going on in their bodies that is WRONG and causing the extra Substance P to be released. At least research is being done, even if there are no answers yet, let alone answers that lead to an effective treatment!!

Just a brief addition to Valerie's post: I think it is pretty conclusive that FM'ers have elevated rates of Substance P and reduced levels of serotonin (with or without depression), though NOT conclusive as to whether these are causal or effect.

And, lovely side effect of this bummer thing is memory loss -- specifically MINE -- I can't remember anything else in your post, so that's it, bye-bye http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
Copper
Let Miracles Replace all Grievances

Although no one knows for sure what causes fibro, I think at least in my case non-restoratve sleep is a factor. I now take Amitriptyline at bedtime and my sleep has improved dramatically and so have my symptoms!

Gracie